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Doxorubicin

Doxorubicin is an anthracycline chemotherapy medicine given by injection or infusion for breast cancer, leukemias, lymphomas, and many other solid tumors, and in a liposomal form for ovarian cancer, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, and multiple myeloma.

Brand names AdriamycinRubexDoxilCaelyxDoxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
Drug class Anthracycline Topoisomerase Inhibitor
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 35 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

How we combine label and product data →
✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 3, 2026 🚨Class I recall on record
Doxorubicin at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written
Doxorubicin is a powerful chemotherapy used for breast cancer, leukemias, lymphomas, and other cancers, with liposomal versions used for ovarian cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and multiple myeloma. It carries serious risks, especially to the heart and blood counts, so close monitoring is essential. Report symptoms such as shortness of breath, swelling, fever, or pain at the infusion site right away.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
⚠️ FDA Boxed Warning — the FDA’s strongest safety alert ▾

Doxorubicin can seriously damage the heart, sometimes with fatal heart failure, during treatment or months to years afterward. The risk climbs as the total lifetime dose goes up, and it is higher with existing heart disease, prior chest radiation, other anthracycline chemotherapy, or other heart-toxic drugs. Children are at higher risk of delayed heart damage.

If the drug leaks out of the vein during an infusion, it causes severe local tissue damage, so it must never be given into muscle or under the skin. Doxorubicin can also lead to secondary leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome, and it can cause severe myelosuppression (low blood counts). The dose should be reduced with liver impairment. It should be given only under the supervision of a doctor experienced in cancer chemotherapy.

Read the full warning on DailyMed →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asInjection
Earliest FDA record1988
Companies listing it with the FDA30
FDA label last updatedMay 29, 2024
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)Yes, read the warning

Patient information guide — a plain-language walkthrough of Doxorubicin, written from its FDA label.

What Doxorubicin is used for

▾

Doxorubicin is used for many cancers, and the approved uses differ by product.

  • Standard doxorubicin products, including Adriamycin: add-on chemotherapy after surgery for women with breast cancer and lymph node involvement.
  • Standard products: acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloblastic leukemia.
  • Standard products: Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
  • Standard products: metastatic breast cancer, Wilms’ tumor, neuroblastoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and bone sarcoma.
  • Standard products: metastatic ovarian, bladder (transitional cell), thyroid, stomach, and lung (bronchogenic) cancers.
  • Liposomal products, including Doxil: ovarian cancer after platinum-based chemotherapy.
  • Liposomal products: AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma after other chemotherapy failed or was not tolerated.
  • Liposomal products: multiple myeloma, with bortezomib, in people who have not had bortezomib and have had at least one prior therapy.

How Doxorubicin works

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Doxorubicin inserts itself between the building blocks of DNA in cancer cells. This stops them from copying DNA and making RNA. It also traps an enzyme called topoisomerase II on the DNA, causing breaks that lead to cell death.

It also binds to cell membranes and can form reactive molecules called free radicals, which are thought to contribute to its heart toxicity.

Doxorubicin dosage

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Doxorubicin is given into a vein by a healthcare professional, in cycles, usually every few weeks. Your team sets the schedule and dose for your cancer type and product.

  • Standard doxorubicin products are given into a vein, and should never be given into muscle or under the skin.
  • Liposomal products such as Doxil are infused slowly at first, and are not given as a quick push or undiluted.
  • Liposomal products are not to be swapped for other doxorubicin products.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Doxorubicin prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Single agent (doxorubicin hydrochloride injection, solution)
    • 60 to 75 mg/m2 as a single intravenous injection administered at 21-day intervals
    • The lower dosage should be given to patients with inadequate marrow reserves due to old age, or prior therapy, or neoplastic marrow infiltration
  • In combination with other chemotherapy drugs (doxorubicin hydrochloride injection, solution)
    • 40 to 60 mg/m2 given as a single intravenous injection every 21 to 28 days
  • Early breast cancer involving axillary lymph nodes (NSABP B-15, AC regimen)
    • Doxorubicin 60 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m2 administered intravenously on day 1 of each 21-day treatment cycle
    • Four cycles of treatment were administered
    • Dose modifications of AC to 75% of the starting doses for neutropenic fever/infection were allowed
  • Hyperbilirubinemia (plasma bilirubin 1.2 to 3 mg/dL)
    • Dosage reduction 50%
    • Dosage must be reduced in case of hyperbilirubinemia
  • Hyperbilirubinemia (plasma bilirubin 3.1 to 5 mg/dL)
    • Dosage reduction 75%
    • Dosage must be reduced in case of hyperbilirubinemia
  • Ovarian cancer (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection)
    • 50 mg/m2 intravenously over 60 minutes every 28 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
    • Initial rate of 1 mg/min to minimize the risk of infusion reactions; if no infusion-related reactions occur, increase rate to complete administration over 1 hour
  • AIDS-related Kaposi's Sarcoma (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection)
    • 20 mg/m2 intravenously over 60 minutes every 21 days until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
    • Initial rate of 1 mg/min to minimize the risk of infusion reactions
  • Multiple Myeloma (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection)
    • 30 mg/m2 intravenously over 60 minutes on day 4 of each 21-day cycle for eight cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity, administered after bortezomib on day 4 of each cycle
    • Initial rate of 1 mg/min to minimize the risk of infusion reactions
Read the label’s full dosing text

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: When possible, to reduce the risk of developing cardiotoxicity in patients receiving doxorubicin after stopping treatment with other cardiotoxic agents, especially those with long half-lives such as trastuzumab, doxorubicin-based therapy should be delayed until the other agents have cleared from the circulation (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS, General ). Care in the administration of doxorubicin will reduce the chance of perivenous infiltration (see WARNINGS ). It may also decrease the chance of local reactions such as urticaria and erythematous streaking. On intravenous administration of doxorubicin, extravasation may occur with or without an accompanying burning or stinging sensation, even if blood returns well on aspiration of the infusion needle. If any signs or symptoms of extravasation have occurred, the injection or infusion should be immediately terminated and restarted in another vein. If extravasation is suspected, intermittent application of ice to the site for 15 min. q.i.d. x 3 days may be useful. The benefit of local administration of drugs has not been clearly established. Because of the progressive nature of extravasation reactions, close observation and plastic surgery consultation is recommended. Blistering, ulceration and/or persistent pain are indications for wide excision surgery, followed by split-thickness skin grafting. The most commonly used dose schedule when used as a single agent is 60 to 75 mg/m 2 as a single intravenous injection administered at 21-day intervals. The lower dosage should be given to patients with inadequate marrow reserves due to old age, or prior therapy, or neoplastic marrow infiltration. Doxorubicin has been used concurrently with other approved chemotherapeutic agents. Evidence is available that in some types of neoplastic disease, combination chemotherapy is superior to single agents. The benefits and risks of such therapy continue to be elucidated. When used in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, the most commonly used dosage of doxorubicin is 40 to 60 mg/m 2 given as a single intravenous injection every 21 to 28 days.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Doxorubicin side effects

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Common side effects

  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mouth sores (stomatitis)
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rash
  • Hand-foot syndrome (liposomal products)

When to get medical help

  • Tell your care team right away about burning, stinging, redness, or swelling at the infusion site, since leakage outside the vein can severely damage tissue.
  • Get help for shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, a racing or irregular heartbeat, or sudden weight gain, which can signal heart problems.
  • Report fever, chills, or signs of infection, because low white blood cell counts can lead to serious infection.
  • Report unusual bleeding or bruising.
  • Tell your team about chest tightness, flushing, or trouble breathing during an infusion, which may be an infusion reaction.
  • Report yellowing of the skin or eyes, or other liver problems.
  • Tell your doctor about severe skin changes on the hands and feet or at areas that were previously irradiated.

Common side effects include:

  • Tiredness and weakness
  • Fever
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Mouth sores
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Rash
  • Hand-foot syndrome (liposomal products)
  • Low white cells, platelets, and red cells

Call your team promptly for fever or signs of infection, bleeding, breathing trouble, leg swelling, a racing heartbeat, or pain or swelling at the infusion site.

Doxorubicin warnings and precautions

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  • Heart damage: risk increases with total lifetime dose and can show up years later. Heart function is checked before, during, and after treatment.
  • Tissue injury: leakage from the vein can cause blistering and severe tissue damage.
  • Low blood counts: serious infection, bleeding, and anemia can occur; counts are checked before each treatment.
  • Secondary leukemia: AML or MDS can develop, generally within 1 to 3 years of treatment.
  • Liver problems: reduced clearance raises toxicity, so the dose is lowered.
  • Radiation: doxorubicin can increase radiation toxicity and cause radiation recall.
  • Tumor lysis syndrome: can occur in rapidly growing tumors.

Doxorubicin interactions

▾

Several drugs can raise heart risk or change doxorubicin levels.

  • Trastuzumab: increases heart risk, so it should be avoided with doxorubicin and for up to 7 months before.
  • CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp inhibitors: can raise doxorubicin levels and side effects.
  • CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp inducers: can lower doxorubicin levels.
  • Paclitaxel: raises doxorubicin levels if given first.
  • Dexrazoxane: should not start with doxorubicin because of lower tumor response.
  • 6-mercaptopurine: may worsen liver toxicity.
  • Live vaccines: avoid because of infection risk.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Doxorubicin prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp: Increased concentrations of doxorubicin, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of doxorubicin hydrochloride. Avoid concomitant use.
  • Inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp: May decrease the concentration of doxorubicin. Avoid concomitant use.
  • Paclitaxel: Paclitaxel, when given prior to doxorubicin hydrochloride, increases the plasma concentrations of doxorubicin and its metabolites. Administer doxorubicin hydrochloride prior to paclitaxel if used concomitantly.
  • Trastuzumab: Concomitant use results in an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction; patients receiving doxorubicin after stopping trastuzumab may also be at increased risk of cardiotoxicity, and trastuzumab may persist in the circulation for up to 7 months. Avoid concomitant administration; avoid anthracycline-based therapy for up to 7 months after stopping trastuzumab when possible; if anthracyclines are used before this time, carefully monitor cardiac function.
  • Dexrazoxane: Initiation of dexrazoxane with doxorubicin hydrochloride-based chemotherapy resulted in a significantly lower tumor response rate (48% vs. 63%; p = 0.007) and shorter time to progression compared to doxorubicin-based chemotherapy alone. Do not administer dexrazoxane as a cardioprotectant at the initiation of doxorubicin hydrochloride-containing chemotherapy regimens.
  • 6-Mercaptopurine: Doxorubicin hydrochloride may potentiate 6-mercaptopurine-induced hepatotoxicity.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Avoid concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inhibitors and inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and/or P-gp ( 7.1 ). Do not administer doxorubicin hydrochloride in combination with trastuzumab due to increased risk of cardiac dysfunction ( 5.1 , 7.2 ). 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on Doxorubicin Hydrochloride for Injection Inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and P-gp Concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-glycoprotein (P-gp), increased concentrations of doxorubicin, which may increase the incidence and severity of adverse reactions of doxorubicin hydrochloride. Avoid concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride for injection with inhibitors of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp. Inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp Concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride with inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp may decrease the concentration of doxorubicin. Avoid concomitant use of doxorubicin hydrochloride for injection with inducers of CYP3A4, CYP2D6, or P-gp. Paclitaxel Paclitaxel, when given prior to doxorubicin hydrochloride, increases the plasma-concentrations of doxorubicin and its metabolites. Administer doxorubicin hydrochloride for injection prior to paclitaxel if used concomitantly. 7.2 Concomitant Use of Trastuzumab Concomitant use of trastuzumab and doxorubicin hydrochloride results in an increased risk of cardiac dysfunction. Avoid concomitant administration of doxorubicin hydrochloride for injection and trastuzumab [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Patients receiving doxorubicin after stopping treatment with trastuzumab may also be at an increased risk of developing cardiotoxicity. Trastuzumab may persist in the circulation for up to 7 months. Therefore, avoid anthracycline-based therapy for up to 7 months after stopping trastuzumab when possible. If anthracyclines are used before this time, carefully monitor cardiac function.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿139 supplements and herbs with documented Doxorubicin interactions, ranked by severity Check Doxorubicin against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Doxorubicin

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  • Tell your doctor about heart disease, a recent heart attack, prior chest radiation, or earlier anthracycline treatment.
  • Tell your doctor about liver disease, since severe liver impairment is a contraindication for standard doxorubicin.
  • Standard doxorubicin should not be used with severe ongoing low blood counts or prior severe allergy to it.
  • Avoid pregnancy and use effective contraception during treatment and afterward; it can harm a baby.
  • Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 10 days after the last dose.
  • It may affect fertility in women and men.
  • Children need long-term heart monitoring.

Doxorubicin overdose

▾

Overdose cases have been rare. They caused fast heartbeat, very low blood counts, severe mouth sores, and serious infection. Patients were treated with supportive care such as growth factors and antibiotics, and recovered over a few weeks.

What Doxorubicin does in the body

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Doxorubicin kills cancer cells by damaging DNA and triggering programmed cell death. The same actions are thought to cause its toxic effects on organs. Free radical formation is linked to its heart toxicity.

How your body processes Doxorubicin

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After a vein infusion, doxorubicin spreads into tissues quickly and leaves slowly, with a terminal half-life of about 20 to 48 hours. It does not cross the blood-brain barrier. The body breaks it down mainly through metabolism (involving CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and P-gp) and clears it through bile; only a small part leaves in urine. Clearance is lower in people with raised bilirubin and in obese women.

How to store Doxorubicin

▾

Refrigerate unopened vials of DOXIL (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection) at 2°C- 8°C (36°F- 46°F). Do not freeze.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

139

Supplements & herbs that interact with Doxorubicin

139 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Doxorubicin in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 2
  • Moderate · 110
  • Minor · 27
GRAPEFRUIT Major ST. JOHN'S WORT Major ACACIA RIGIDULA Moderate ACEROLA Moderate ADRAFINIL Moderate AFRICAN WILD POTATO Moderate ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID Moderate AMERICAN ELDER Moderate +131 more
Every supplement checked against Doxorubicin — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 2 major · 110 moderate · 27 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Doxorubicin against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

1

Nutrient depletion considerations

Doxorubicin has been associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

RIBOFLAVIN Insufficient Evidence
See the full Doxorubicin nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Doxorubicin: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Doxorubicin — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is doxorubicin for?

▾
It is a chemotherapy medicine for many cancers. Standard forms treat breast cancer, leukemias, lymphomas, and several spread cancers. Liposomal forms like Doxil treat ovarian cancer, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, and multiple myeloma with bortezomib.

How will I receive it?

▾
A healthcare professional gives it into a vein in treatment cycles, usually every few weeks. You do not take it by mouth. Your team sets the exact schedule.

What side effects should I expect?

▾
Tiredness, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, diarrhea or constipation, rash, and low blood counts are common. Liposomal forms can cause hand-foot syndrome. Let your team know about any that bother you.

When should I call my care team?

▾
Call right away for fever or chills, unusual bleeding, shortness of breath, leg swelling, a racing heartbeat, or pain, redness, or swelling where the IV is. Heart problems can also show up months or years after treatment.

Can I use it while pregnant or breastfeeding?

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Doxorubicin can harm an unborn baby, so use effective contraception during treatment and for months afterward. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for 10 days after your last dose.

Do other medicines matter?

▾
Yes. Tell your team about everything you take. Trastuzumab raises heart risk, some drugs change doxorubicin levels, and live vaccines should be avoided.

Is Doxorubicin available over the counter?

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Doxorubicin is dispensed by prescription according to its FDA labeling, so it isn't sold over the counter. Your prescriber and pharmacist will determine if it's appropriate for you.

When was Doxorubicin first available?

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Doxorubicin has been available in the United States since at least 1988, based on FDA approval history (Drugs@FDA) and product marketing records.

Who makes Doxorubicin?

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Doxorubicin is supplied by 30 manufacturers listed in the FDA NDC Directory, including Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc, Baxter Healthcare Corporation.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Doxorubicin on HelloPharmacist

📊Doxorubicin supplement interactions139 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerDoxorubicin vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Doxorubicin NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Doxorubicin Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Doxorubicin forms and strengths (how it comes)

Doxorubicin is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Injection

By injection · In the eye · Into a vein
Brands Adriamycin Doxil Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Adriamycin is used with other chemotherapy after breast cancer surgery in women with lymph node involvement, and for leukemias, lymphomas, and several metastatic cancers.
  • Doxil is used for ovarian cancer after platinum-based chemotherapy, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma after other chemotherapy, and multiple myeloma with bortezomib.
  • Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome is used for ovarian cancer, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, and multiple myeloma with bortezomib.
Important instructions
  • Adriamycin is given into a vein, and the infusion should be stopped right away if leakage outside the vein is suspected.
  • Doxil is infused into a vein, starting slowly to reduce infusion reactions, and should not be given as a bolus or undiluted.
  • Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome is not to be substituted for other doxorubicin hydrochloride products.
Available strengths 1 strength
2 mg/mL
173 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Doxorubicin on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Doxorubicin appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

30 companies list 180 Doxorubicin product records with the FDA, mostly as injection; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1988. Brand names on the directory include Adriamycin, Rubex, Doxil and 2 more; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
30
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
5
Brand names
180
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1988
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (7) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.22%
Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc16%
Baxter Healthcare Corporation7%
Northstar RxLLC6%
BluePoint Laboratories6%
Gland Pharma Limited5%
Other makers39%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Doxorubicin is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Doxorubicin is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Doxorubicin is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

12,297
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$1.6M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Doxorubicin prescribed? Of the 1,599 medications we measure, Doxorubicin ranks #891 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 44% of them.

Where Doxorubicin ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #891 of 1,599
#886 Mebendazole 13,051 Rx #887 Ferric Citrate 12,907 Rx #888 Cyclophosphamide 12,778 Rx #889 Imatinib 12,484 Rx #890 Enalapril and Hydrochl... 12,397 Rx #891 Doxorubicin 12,297 Rx #892 Sertaconazole Topical 12,283 Rx #893 Glatiramer Injection 12,218 Rx #894 Phytonadione 12,205 Rx #895 Amlodipine / Hydrochlo... 12,179 Rx #896 Dextrose / Potassium C... 12,170 Rx

Utilization by Doxorubicin product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 2 mg/mL injectable solution is the most-dispensed Doxorubicin product — about 77% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

doxorubicin hydrochloride 2 MG/ML Injectable Solution Most dispensed

9,454 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 77% of Doxorubicin prescriptions shown $800,445 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $85 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 31 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1191138

25 ML doxorubicin hydrochloride 2 MG/ML Injection

1,742 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 14% of Doxorubicin prescriptions shown $281,986 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $162 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 11 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1790100

5 ML doxorubicin hydrochloride 2 MG/ML Injection

337 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 3% of Doxorubicin prescriptions shown $5,939 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $18 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 12 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1790097

10 ML doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome 2 MG/ML Injection

309 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 3% of Doxorubicin prescriptions shown $376,971 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $1,220 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 6 of 23 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1790115

10 ML doxorubicin hydrochloride 2 MG/ML Injection

270 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Doxorubicin prescriptions shown $29,391 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $109 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 9 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1790099

25 ML doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome 2 MG/ML Injection

171 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Doxorubicin prescriptions shown $73,846 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $432 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 24 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1790127

doxorubicin hydrochloride 50 MG Injection

14 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q3 2025) <1% of Doxorubicin prescriptions shown $868 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $62 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1790095

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Doxorubicin, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 25 of 113 listed Doxorubicin NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Doxorubicin products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Doxorubicin — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 180 of 180 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 180 Doxorubicin NDCs →

Doxorubicin recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 2 Doxorubicin recalls since July 2021. One of them is still ongoing and is listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class I May 12, 2026 · SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC
Presence of Particulate matter: Particulate matter identified as glass.
  • DOXOrubin Hydrochloride Liposome injection, 50 mg/25 mL (2mg/mL), 25 mL single-dose vials, Sterile, Rx only, Manufactured for: Northstar Rx LLC., Memphis, TN 38141, Manufactured by: Sun Pharmaceutica… Lots: Lot HAG2581B, expires: 05/31/2027 FDA record D-0580-2026 →
Class II Aug 24, 2023 · Terminated · Baxter Healthcare Corporation
CGMP Deviations: Product was exposed to temperatures exceeding the labeled storage conditions during transportation were released by mistake.
  • Doxil (doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome injection) 50 mg in 25 mL (2 mg/mL), Single-Dose Vial, Rx only, Manufactured for: Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL 60015. NDC 0338-0067-01 Lots: Lot# MKZSU02, Exp 6/30/2024 FDA record D-0048-2024 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Doxorubicin RxCUI 3639 2 dose forms · 9 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 374376 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 2 MG/ML RxCUI 1191138

Look up RxCUI 3639 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Doxorubicin brand names

Doxorubicin is sold under 5 brand names in the FDA directory — Adriamycin, Rubex, Doxil, Caelyx and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Adriamycin Rubex Doxil Caelyx Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome

Who makes Doxorubicin: manufacturers and labelers

30 companies list Doxorubicin products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc, Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 40 Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc 28 Baxter Healthcare Corporation 12 Northstar RxLLC 10 BluePoint Laboratories 10 Gland Pharma Limited 9 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc 8 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. 6 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 6 Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC 6 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc. 4 Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. 4 Padagis US LLC 4 Baxter Healthcare Company 4 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 4 Actavis Pharma, Inc. 3 Sagent Pharmaceuticals 3 Bryant Ranch Prepack 2 Zydus Lifesciences Limited 2 Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 Zhejiang Hisun Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. 2 Mylan Institutional LLC 2 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited 2 Olon SpA 1

…and 6 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Doxorubicin drug class (RxNorm)

Doxorubicin belongs to the Anthracycline Topoisomerase Inhibitor class.

Pharmacologic class Anthracycline Topoisomerase Inhibitor
Drug family (ATC) Anthracyclines and related substances
How it works Topoisomerase Inhibitors

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Doxorubicin page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective May 29, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Doxorubicin.
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Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
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Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Doxorubicin after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
35
NDC products indexed
180
Distinct labelers/manufacturers represented
30
Linked representative label ⓘ
Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
Linked label effective
May 29, 2024
Composite sections available
25
Linked SPL Set ID
d928625e-c1ef-4f25-8d25-764c8c6aab67
Linked SPL Document ID
f4a01f55-65d7-401f-ac2f-e1511bf3a429
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →